August 21, 2024 Amityville by Long Island Media Group

How Families Can Get Ready For A New School Year

Children will soon be trading in the chimes of neighborhood ice cream trucks for the bells of school as summer vacation gives way to the start of a new academic year. August through September is prime backto-school season, with children all across the country stocking their backpacks and shopping for new school wardrobes. There is more to getting ready for the start of school than making sure pencils are sharpened and tablets are charged. Parents and children can work together to ensure the transition back to the classroom is as seamless as possible.

Adjust

Sleep And Wake Times

Summer vacation often means letting loose of schedules for a while, and that may translate into later-thannormal bedtimes and rising a little later in the morning. Everyone in the household will have to reacquaint themselves with schedules that ensure kids get to school on time. A few weeks before the first day of school, start incrementally going to bed at an earlier time and start waking up earlier each morning. Try to plan out the increments so that by the time the last few days of summer vacation wind down, the family is on target with a waking

and testing while on summer break, but it can be beneficial to stay current on some lessons. Summer slide refers to the loss of some of the learning achieved during the previous school year over the summer break. Some experts say summer

slide is overstated, but it can’t hurt for students to refresh their memories on some math, science and language arts concepts over break so that they will be ready to hit the books when the new school year begins.

Prep for school lunches

Children and adults can work together to map out healthy eating options for school lunch. Many school districts have lunch plans that can be purchased through an online account. Participating students simply enter a number or swipe a code at checkout.

School lunches are built to be nutritionally diverse and have options that even picky eaters will like. School is right around the corner, and families should get ready for the routine and needs that go with the academic year as the first day draws closer.

schedule that mirrors the school schedule.

Acclimate To Being Around People

Although summer vacation may involve trips that bring children in contact with other people, it may have been some time since they’ve spent five or more hours per day around 20 to 30 people their age. It may take a transition period to get used to being around a bunch of peers, so families can visit places where there tend to be crowds of kids, such as zoos, aquariums, parks, and trampoline centers. These can be lowpressure locations to dust off social skills.

Know the route or plan for school transportation

Students may be driven independently, ride the school bus, walk or bike, or carpool with others to and from school. Families can establish plans so that getting to and from school is not something kids need to worry about. Practice routes and timing, taking into consideration that when schools open there will be much more traffic.

Parents can reassure children that there will be a learning curve, but all of the kinks generally get worked out during the first week.

Avoid “summer slide”

Most students don’t want to think about studying, homework

AUGUST HAPPENINGS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

2:00PM-3:30 PM

PRE-RETIREES, RETIREES, AND PART-TIME RETIREES WORKSHOP

Are you embarking on retirement while others closest to you are still entrenched in their careers, or focused on other things? You are not alone. This workshop is designed to provide valuable insights and suggestions to help you thrive in this next chapter of your life. FREE, IN-PERSON WORKSHOP: Rockville Centre Library, 221 N. Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Use the link below to register: https:// www.rvclibrary.org/ or call 516-766-6257

6:00PM-7:00PM

GARDEN LECTURE

You can have garden interest 12 months a year! Experience a pictorial tour through the garden to see how interest can keep going during any season, even in the winter! Presented by Lee Miller, Landscaper Designer and author of 4 books. Hosted by the Paumanacke Garden Club at the Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Avenue Wantagh. FREE. For more information, please contact paumanackegc@gmail.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

9:00AM-2:00PM

CHILDREN'S SNAPPER DERBY Children's Snapper Derby in partnership with NY Coalition for Recreational Fishing at Captree Fuel Bait & Tackle, 3500 East Ocean Parkway in Babylon. For more

Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com

information, please Contact Senator Monica R. Martinez's Ofﬁce at 631-341-7111

10:00AM-4:00PM BLOOD DRIVE

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announce a partnership with New York Blood Center to host a Blood Drive in honor of Bridget McElroy, who lost her battle to cancer at just 35-years old. The drive will be held at Marjorie Post Park Community Center, located at 451 Unqua Road in Massapequa. To make an appointment, visit https://donate. nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/316344

10:00AM-1:30PM

KIWANIS CLUB OF WANTAGH FOOD DRIVE

King Kullen, 1340 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. Non-perishable foods and baby essentials are all needed. A list will be given out before entering the store to residents that are interested in participating. Cash donations are always welcome. The food drive will beneﬁt two Wantagh food pantries: St. Francis Food Pantry and St. Jude Episcopal Food Pantry.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 & SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

11:00AM-6:00PM

31st LIMM ANNUAL SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Don't miss Long Island Maritime Museum's Premier Event, 31st Annual Seafood Festival. Featuring

Live Music, Crafts & Seafood! The festival is held on the grounds of the Long Island Maritime Museum located at 88 West Avenue in West Sayville. The Seafood Festival is the Long Island Maritime Museum’s premier annual fundraiser. Find out more at www.limmseafoodfestival. org, or call 631-HISTORY, 631-447-8679

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

10:00AM-3:00PM

HONEY BEE EXPERIENCE

Join Pinelawn for their 6th Annual Honey Bee Experience as they demonstrate the wonders of honey bees! With 6 hives on the property, Pinelawn explains the importance of honey bees in our environment and provides a safe, up-close look at these marvelous insects. Takes place at Pinelawn’s Lowuis Natalie Mall, West Gate 3 Entrance. For more information, please call 631-249-6100

SATURDAY AUGUST 31

2:00PM-5:00PM DAHLIA EXHIBITION AND PHOTO SHOW

The Long Island Dahlia Society will hold its annual Dahlia Exhibition and Photo Show at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Carriage House, 440 Montauk Highway in Great River. Show is free with entry in the park. For further information visit WWW. LongIslandDahlia.org or email LIDSPHOTO22@gmail.com for the Photo Show

EXOTIC WAREHOUSE

Amityville’s Pre-K Students Explore Interactive Unit On Animals

Prekindergartners in the Amityville School District learned about animals of the past and present during their field trip to the Tanglewood Preserve Center for Science and Learning in Rockville Centre.

Students got to explore the preserve’s dinosaur exhibit where they viewed robotic and skeletal life size dinosaurs. They also viewed plenty of live animals such as snakes, birds and turtles.

Police Officers Deliver Baby

At a recent board meeting, Supervisor Rich Schaffer and the Town Board honored 1st Precinct Police Officers Verhey and Valderrama for not only saving lives but for also helping bring life into the world. The two Suffolk police officers teamed up to deliver the baby in North Amityville before EMS arrived. The officers acted quickly and calmly to ensure the safe arrival of the

newborn baby boy. Their quick thinking and training allowed them to successfully help bring the baby into the world. Councilman Terence McSweeney who also chairs public safety for the Town of Babylon said, “This act of heroism showcases the dedication and commitment of law enforcement officers in serving our community. The officers’ actions undoubtedly made a significant impact on the

lives of the baby and the family involved.”

Inspector Forte, the commanding officer of the 1st Precinct, joined in honoring these officers, reflecting the pride felt for their exemplary service.

Supervisor Rich Schaffer said, “We are all so proud of these two officers and ALL of our police officers for their commitment to protecting and serving our residents in our communities.”

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24TH DINNER AT 6:30PM

THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY AUGUST 29TH-31ST DINNER AT 6:30PM & SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST DINNER AT 5:00PM SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH

AT 5:00PM

Calming First-Day-Of-School Jitters

Starting school for the first time or simply returning to campus after another summer break can lead to mixed feelings. Kids may be excited to see their friends every day, but that comes at the price of the end of lazy summer days.

The first day of school is on the horizon, and parents may discover their children seem a bit despondent that vacation is coming to a close. Such feelings may stem from more than the end of summer vacation. Some students may be nervous about going to school. New faces, new experiences and new teachers can lead to a little anxiety. Here are some ways to tame the nerves.

• Do a trial run. Before school starts, do a test run to the drop-off location, bus stop or pick up whomever will be carpooling together. Getting into that routine can help reduce nervousness.

• Participate in meet-andgreets. Some schools offer certain events designed

to introduce students even before classes begin. Schools may host ice cream socials or picnic lunches on school grounds, particularly for younger grades. These events give children an opportunity to get to know their classmates before the first school bell rings.

• Take a school tour. If a student is about to start in a new school or will be attending school for the first time, families will want to see if they can get tours of the school and facilities. Just one glance inside can be enough to familiarize students with the lay of the land, which might make things less scary on the first day.

• Check the class list. Some schools do not provide a list of all students in particular classes, but increasingly those that rely on programs like Google Classroom or Canvas may enable students to see who will be in their class. Children also can use social apps like Instagram and

Snapchat to locate schoolassociated groups to find other students. Parents and their children can brainstorm how to deal with other students who may have been difficult in the past, while also perusing lists for friendly faces.

• Practice conversation skills. Many modern kids have their eyes locked on devices. They may be a little rusty with ice breakers and initiating conversation. Role playing at home can give kids some ideas of how to forge new relationships in the

classroom.

• Recognize and take concerns seriously. Parents and other caregivers can be receptive to conversation with children regarding their concerns about starting school. Talking about feelings can help kids

tame their nervousness, especially when adults take them seriously.

Children may be nervous about starting school. Parents, caregivers and teachers can work together to help students overcome these jitters quickly.

Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon and Huntington residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Summer 2024 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.

Summer Senior Advocate Schedules

“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”

This summer, Senior

Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Babylon:

• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer Park: Friday, September 20, 9 – 11 am

• North Amityville Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesday, September 11, 10 am – 1 pm

• Rainbow Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesday, September 4, 8:30 – 11:00 am

• Tanner Park Senior Nutrition, 2 Tanner Park,

Copiague: Wednesday, September 11, 8:30 am – 1 pm

• Spangle Drive Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesdays, August 27 & September 24, 12 –3:30 pm

• West Babylon Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon: Thursday September 26, 10 am – 12 pm

In Huntington, they will be visiting the following:

• Huntington Senior Nutrition Ctr., 423 Park Avenue, Huntington:

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 8:30 am – 1 pm

Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available

services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 853-8200.

“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and trouble-free access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”

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Study Tips For A Strong Start In School

Studying is vital to academic performance. At the dawn of a new school year, students get a fresh start to improve upon or continue strong their study habits. Teachers will be rolling out their curricula, and that may feel overwhelming. However, optimizing study skills can boost confidence in school and in areas outside of the classroom. These study tips can put students on a path for success.

• Find your optimal study space. The ideal study spot varies from student to student. Some need a quiet nook in the library, while others may prefer the sounds of nature while seated on a park bench. There’s no onesize-fits-all study location, so students may need to experiment with what works best for them. Also, The Princeton Review says that a student doesn’t need just one study space. He or she may find a change of scenery can prompt the brain to retain information better.

• Devise a study plan. Setting

goals and a plan of attack allows students to space out their studying over several days. This can reduce stress and make the task seem less cumbersome.

• Avoid cram sessions. Devising a study plan is better than cramming the night before a test. The American Psychological Association says students may perform well on a test for which they’ve crammed, but that doesn’t mean they’ve truly learned the material. Studying with a goal of retaining the material long-term is important.

• Learn how to actively study. Some students think that studying requires reading over the material or highlighting text. Active studying involves engaging with the material and constructing meaning from the text. One way to engage with the material is to try acting as the teacher and explaining concepts to another person. Creating a study guide or even concept

maps also helps one actively study.

• Balance intensity with laidback study approaches. Students may procrastinate with their studying because they don’t want to devote a lot of time to the task. Instead, they can do shorter sessions mixed with longer sessions of studying. In fact, The Learning Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says shorter, intensive study time can be more effective than drawnout studying.

• Ask for help. Asking a teacher or another student for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a good strategy to develop early on. The longer one waits, the more difficult it may be to catch up on material. Asking for help goes hand-in-hand with setting up a buddy system for studying. Study groups enable students to go over material together, which can provide different perspectives and help the material resonate more effectively.

Each group will be eight weeks in duration beginning Thursday, September 12th

The General Support Group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss at least three months prior to the start of the group. The Adult Child Group has no wait requirement. Each group meets weekly for 90 minutes followed by refreshments and hospitality. There is no cost but a commitment to attend each meeting throughout the program is required. Both groups are offered in a closed and confidential setting with highly trained facilitators and limited to 12 people.

Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited. Please call the number below to reserve your seat. Call 631-589-0540, ext. 250

Keep Summer Days Fun And Busy When Camp Ends

Many adults have fond memories of attending summer camp when they were children. The American Camp Association reports that each year more than 14 million children and adults take advantage of the camp experience. Summer camp is a place for kids to learn new skills, make new friends, experience being away from home

for extended periods of time, and explore new locales. Summer camp program lengths vary. Some children attend local camps that may last a week or two, while others attend sleep-away camps that last a little longer. Since summer vacation typically lasts between eight to 10 weeks, parents may discover there still is plenty of downtime after

summer camp ends. Here are some ways to fill the gap between the end of camp and the start of a new school year.

Schedule a vacation

What better way to keep the magic of summer going than by rolling summer camp right into a family vacation? Give kids time to enjoy a few days to relax at home, but then buckle up for the next adventure. This can be a trip away from home, or a series of day trips or activities guided by all members of the family.

Organize a sleepover exchange

Parents of school-aged children can coordinate with one another to fill up a week or more with sleepovers. Each family can take a night or two,

and the kids can jump from house to house extending the fun with one another. Sleepovers can occur inside the home or under tents in the yard.

Recreate favorite camp activities at home

Why not take what makes camp entertaining and try it at home? Copy the camp’s itinerary and engage in similar activities, such as canoeing or nature hikes. On nights when the weather cooperates, everyone can gather around a fire pit to roast marshmallows.

Enroll in a recreational program

Some towns offer free or low-fee activities to residents through their parks and recreation departments. If budgeting does not allow for a camp experience, there are likely town-wide activities that can fill the gaps until it’s time for children to go back to school. Some even may offer afterhours childcare options for parents who have scheduling conflicts with work.

When summer camp ends, parents have different options they can explore to keep children engaged and supervised until a new school year begins.

Lazy Days Of Summer Raffle

The Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition will be holding their annual Lazy Days of Summer Raffle, now through August 23rd. Prizes include an Apple Watch, Lottery Board, Italian Delights Basket, Yoga Basket, Garden Basket, Summer Fun Basket and Disney Lovers Basket. Also, Silent Auction items! Call the office for details, 631893-4110.

Suffolk Bus Corporation Teams Up With Transit Workers Union

Starting this month, Suffolk County transit drivers who served our nation will be honored with a special uniform patch bordered in gold, where the word “veteran” is stitched in silver letters under the United States Flag for display on each driver’s sleeve.

To commemorate this special honor, a ceremony was held at Suffolk Bus Corporation’s (SBC) Ronkonkoma bus depot to thank the drivers, mechanics, and office staff for their service to our country and their dedication to the Suffolk County transit system. Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa, who serves as chair of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee and the Public Works, Transportation & Energy Committee, was on hand to recognize the commitment, sacrifices and extraordinary contributions of America’s veterans.

North Fork Transit & EBT To Honor

The concept to honor our veterans in this special way was initiated by Suffolk Bus Corp. driver, Luis Mercado, a veteran of the US Marine Corps and the Navy Reserves, and chair of the Transport Workers Union Local 252 Veterans Committee. Suffolk Bus Corp. worked with North Fork Transit and EBT, the other transit service providers in Suffolk County, and Transport Workers Union Local 252, to implement this program.

“I am so pleased that we were able to find a way to honor this special group of drivers. Thank you to Luis and his committee for helping to make this happen,” said John Corrado, Suffolk Bus Corporation President.

“Suffolk County is very proud of the job that our transit workers do every day. We’re especially proud to know of the men and women who serve our system and